MS has failed to define an upper limit for the length of an absolute filename in the past.

MAX_PATH has been around for as long I can remember.

Many API functions have some arbitary limits, typically 256 or 260 chars

First you complain there's no limits, and then you call the limits arbitrary?

Besides, the limit isn't arbitrary. 240 comes from history: 

Drive (C:\) + Dir (240) + 8.3 file name (12) + NUL = 256

[download]

It has been expanded to allow a drive using the \\?\C:\ notation: 

Path (\\?\C:\ + 240 + 12) + NUL = 260.

[download]

In reply to Re^2: Path and File Name Maximum Lengths by ikegami
in thread Path and File Name Maximum Lengths by merrymonk

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